Sarah and her husband Gary Snouffer became embroiled in a bitter and bizarre episode that involved civil litigation, divorce proceedings, and criminal charges in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gary was hospitalized in late 1989 with a mysterious set of symptoms that took a number of months to diagnose as arsenic poisoning. It was reported that Sarah and Gary's best friend Danny Zirkle were having an affair and that the poisoning was related to that. See River Cities [OH] Times (24 Dec. 1993).

A civil suit was filed 7 Nov 1990 by Gary against Sarah and Zirkle alleging that they "had conspired and carried out a plan to poison him thereby committing the torts of civil battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and trespass." Gary sought, "among other things, damages in 'an unspecified monetary amount that exceeds the maximum [he was] allowed to state in his pleadings.'" Snouffer v. Snouffer, Ohio App. Lexis 3474 (1993). The trial court dismissed the case prior to jury verdict; that ruling was affirmed. (Ibid) A subsequent civil suit was filed. See River Cities [OH] Times (24 Dec 1993). It too was later dismissed. (Letter of 20 June 2002, from Charles H. Knight, Sarah's criminal defense attorney, to Wm. C. Snouffer.)

On 26 Oct. 1994, Sarah and Zirkle were indicted for attempted murder. After several hearings, the trial court dismissed the indictment; on appeal, the dismissal was reversed and remanded for trial. State v. Zirkle and Snouffer, Ohio App. Lexis 4173 (1997). See also, The Daily Sentinel [Pomeroy, OH] (18 Nov. 1994). Before trial the charges were dismissed on the special prosecutor's motion because of missing evidence. (Letter of 20 June 2002, from Charles H. Knight, Sarah's criminal defense attorney to Wm. C. Snouffer.)

Gary and Sarah have subsequently reconciled and as of 2002 are reported living together in Biloxi, Mississippi. In Nov. 2005, they were reported living in Bay St. Louis, Mo. See her father-in-law's Obituary, Zanesville [OH] Times Recorder (30 Nov 2005).

A slightly different obituary appeared in the Point Pleasant [WV] Register (25 Feb 2011):
"Sarah Ruth Snouffer, 51, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, in Bay St. Louis.
"Mrs. Snouffer was a 1978 graduate of Kyger Creek High School and was of the Baptist Faith. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all.
"She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Drummond; brother, James Drummond; and sister, Charlotte Drummond.
"She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Gary Snouffer of Bay St. Louis, Miss.; son, Christopher (Charla) Snouffer of Middleport, Ohio; daughter, Kindra Snouffer of Waveland, Miss.; stepson, Gary (Michelle) Snouffer II of Mason; brother, David Drummond of Cheshire, Ohio; sister, Katrina (Mike) Northup of Gallipolis, Ohio; and grandchildren, Charlie Rose, Brooklynn, Garrett and Rylee Snouffer.
"Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, with a memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. ... in Gallipolis, Ohio...."